Could the Yankees Have Already Made Their Trade for a First Baseman?

The New York Yankees traded lefty reliever Tyler Webb to the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. In return, the Yanks got first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Many expected the New York Yankees to make a trade for a first baseman. Many thought they would make a splash with a big name and few thought it would come so early.

However, with two and a half weeks until the trade deadline, New York got a new first baseman in Brewers’ prospect Garrett Cooper.

Prior to this deal, it’s safe to say that no Yankee fans knew who Cooper was. Even most Brewer fans were probably unaware of the 26-year-old minor leaguer.

His lack of recognition didn’t stop Cooper from producing, however.

In 75 games at Triple-A Colorado Springs, Cooper hit .366 with a career-high 17 home runs and 82 RBI. He also had a .428 OBP, .652 SLG, and 29 doubles.

This kid can hit. Although his previous career-high was only nine homers, Cooper is a career .305 hitter.

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At 6’6″ and 230 lb., the right-handed hitter could pair nicely with Ji-Man Choi for the rest of 2017 and with Greg Bird down the line.

Cooper has already been called up and will make his major league debut tonight against the rival Red Sox. He is starting at first base and batting sixth.

Could this be all that the Yankees do to improve first base?

That will depend on how well Cooper plays for the next two and a half weeks.

I said in my Finals Thoughts of the last episode of Empire Writes Back the Podcast that Cooper’s play will greatly affect the Yankees’ deadline moves.

If Cooper can produce, the Yankees can move forward with him at first and direct their focus towards starting pitching and bullpen upgrades.

If Cooper struggles to adjust to the major leagues, New York may still go after rental first basemen like Yonder Alonso and Lucas Duda.

Next: Can the New York Yankees Rebound in the Second Half?

Tonight starts Garrett Cooper’s audition to be the New York Yankees’ starting first baseman.

Only time will tell if the Yankees are done trying to upgrade first base and solve their problems at the position.

Let’s hope that one way or another, New York gets more production from the not-so-hot corner in the second half of the season.